Project images

What the runtime image controls

The project runtime image, also called the RootFS image, defines the Linux software stack available in a project. It is how you make a reproducible environment for a class, research workflow, workshop, or agent sandbox.

Change the runtime image

1. Open the project.
2. Open Settings.
3. Go to Environment.
4. In the Image card, choose Details, then Change.
5. Pick a managed catalog image. Administrators can also enter an arbitrary OCI image in the advanced controls.
6. Save work before applying the change. Changing the image of a running project automatically queues a project restart; a stopped project uses the selected image on its next start.

Changing the image affects system software. Project files remain in the project, but a restart ends running processes and clears their in-memory state.

Reuse environments

After installing packages or configuring a project, publish or clone the runtime image workflow when appropriate. This is useful for courses, workshops, and teams that need every participant to start with the same tools.

Why this matters in CoCalc

CoCalc combines normal Linux administration inside a project with managed, shareable runtime images. You can use sudo, install packages, build custom software stacks, and then make those stacks available to other projects without turning setup instructions into a fragile checklist.